Coupling mechanism for vehicles



Nov. 14, 1933. G. H. cONNoRs COUPLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES Filed Nov.19, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l kwh.

311/0014130@ '-4 GEORGE ff. 60N/MRS- NOV. 14, 1933. G, CQNNORS 1,935,112

COUPLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES Filed NOV. 19, 1952 4 Sheebs--SheeI 2 3rvu W01/ G50/mf H 60m/0,95.

mi- M NOV- 14, 1933- G. H, coNNoRs COUPLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES FiledNOV. 19, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Tic- 4- lllHlHll wuem/(o/r, GEORGE l1.60N/MRS.

Nov. 14, 1933. l G. H. CONNoRs 1,935,112

COUPLING MECHNISM FOR VEHICLES Filed Nov. 19, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a. Of O U Patented Nov. 14, 1933 PATENT oFFlcE COUPLING IWECHANISM FORVEHICLES' GeorgeH. Connors, Edgerton, Wis., assignor to Highway TrailerCompany, Edgerton, Wis., a

corporation -r Application November 19, 1932. Serial No. 643,479

is claims.l (ol. 28osan p The purpose of this invention has been toimprove upon known types of tractor-trailer comy bination units atpresent being very largely used in the automotive vehicle art. j .Sincethe largest number of tractor vehicles today in use for the purposes ofhauling-trailers are of atype utilizingwhat 4is known as a lower fthwheel for cooperation and looking engagement with an upper Vfifth wheeland'king pinonthe trailer, one of the objectives of this invention hasbeen to develop an improved trailer king pin mechanism for cooperationwith the lmost generally used type of tractor vehicle and its fifthwheel. i i Y v In` the type of trailer vehicle of this inventionutilizing the improved king pin mechanism,`it is contemplated to mountthe kingpin movably relatively to the trailer and utilize movementimparted to the king pin as the tractor backs into certain serviceoperations in conjunction with mechanisms that are usually mounted yuponthe trailer.

Thus, in the presentl instance, the kingpin device hereinafter set forthis adapted to Work inv conjunction with 'a supporting jack or wheeledsupport for the front end of the trailer, used when the' trailer isuncoupled from the tractor, in such mechanism. yThe means referred tohere include a manner as to' move the jack'or Wheeled sup- '30 port intoand out of operative position in relation y to the ground.

Notwithstandingthe employment of the special movable or slidable kingpin` mechanism that will be hereinafter described in detail, the saidcustomary types cf tractor lower fifth wheels at present in use, theking pin itself being designated for such purpose. especially, thoughitis asso-v ciated with other peculiar and special mechanisms 40 thatare operated by its movement for-performing certain functions that havebeentouchedv upon in theforegoing statement; -v l 1 The king pin carriesa slide'bar or reach which is actuated by the actuating movementincident with the king pin, thusmoving the jack out of and intosupporting position, in accordance with the movement of the reach andking pin.

Among other features of novelty,-ther'e mayV bementioned the positioningof the supporting jack nearer the front ofthe trailer.v thanV isconventional, 'thereby removing the danger `cf the trailer nose divingorftippingforward when loaded heavily at the vfront whenstanding on thejack; the provision of simplied mechanism for coupling relation tothe'trailerv for accomplishingV mechanism is fully adapted tolbe coupledwith'.v

to contact of the lower fifth Wheel of the tractorY locking the king pinrelatively to the trailer simultaneously with the interlocking thereofWith the fifth wheel members of the tractor and trailer; the provisionof novel instrumentalities on the tractor fifth wheel for actuatingfthelock- E ing mechanism to unlock the same while at the same timereleasing the king pin of the trailer to effect uncoupling of thevehicles. This locking mechanism embraces, in general, the provision' ofa lock member slidable into and out of engagel ment with the king pinmechanism to hold the said mechanism'in coupling position, and torelease the said king pin mechanism for movement to uncoupling positionas the tractor moves away from the trailer, there being provided instru-702 nientalities, as has been indicated above, associated with the fifthWheels of the vehicles, for withdrawingthe lock member from engagementwith the king pin mechanism when the vehicles are toy be uncoupled,means for actuating the l`y said instrumentalities'being positioned inthe cab of the' tractor readily accessible to the operator. Theinvention further contemplates the provision of novel means for'securngthe lock member` in withdrawn position these means being 8011automatically operative to snap into engagement with the lock memberwhen the latter has been Withdrawn a suitable distance 'from the kingpin a novel system of levers mounted so as to be actuated by a trippositioned on the aforesaid slidebar orvreach as the latter is movedresponsivelytov coupling operations,` so that the look" member will bereleased to resume locking engagement with the kingpin mechanism, thesaid 901 system of levers enabling the trip to pass freely whenl theking pin mechanism is moved to uncoupling position. f t

In addition to the above indicated mechanism for withdrawing the lockmember from engagement with the king pin mechanism, means for manuallywithdrawing the locking member may be provided for alternative use, ifdesired; also as has been indicated the lock member is provided withmeans for automatically returning it into locking engagementk with theking pin mechanism when the lock member is released from its withdrawnposition. f

1 The details of the construction above outlined, together withothernovel details' introduced by 105" this invention will be described indetailhereinafter. In the drawings,- v Figure 1 representsafragmentaryside elevation of a trailer vehicle embracing certain improvements ofthis invention. l Y ll0` Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism ofFigure 1, showing additionally certain features of the locking mechanismfor the king pin.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the trailer showing the lockingmechanism of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, partly in section and partlyin elevation, showing the upper and lower fth wheels in interlockedrelation and showing the king pin in coupled position with certainfeatures of the king pin lock controlling mechanism and 'actuating meanstherefor.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of a standard type of lower fifth wheel, butprovided with certain improvements of this invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the lower fifth wheel of Figure 6,showing the lower fifth wheel partially brokenaway.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the lower fifth wheelof Figures 6 and '7.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a truck and trailer coupled together,showing the manner of controlling the mechanism of this invention fromthe cab of the truck.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that thetruck A and trailer B are provided with the lower fifth wheel C andupper fifth wheel, D, respectively, each of standard construction, whichare adapted to be coupled together by means of a king pin E, in theusual manner, the king pin being mounted to move axially of the trailerresponsively to coupling and unooupling movements of the vehicles.Movement of the king pin actuates the movement of the trailer supportingjack F out of and into supporting position.

Referring rst to the king pin construction, it will be observed that theking pin E is mounted in a block 1, being desirably integral therewith,which block is mounted for movement in guides 2, and carries a slide baror reach 3, which is mounted in guides 4 carried by suitable rcrossmembers of the trailer frame.

VIn order to allow this movement of the king pin, of course the upperfth wheel must be provided with a suitable slot 5.

It has been mentioned that movement of the king pin incident to thecoupling and uncoupling operations between the vehicles will actuatethejack F to move lthe jack out of and into supporting position; and it hasalso been mentioned that this jack is positioned farther forward of thetrailer than it is usual in order to remove all likelihood of thetrailer tipping forwardly when loaded heavily at the front when standingon the jack. To enable the movement of the king pin l to correspondinglyactuate the j ack, and to enable the jack to be so positioned, the reach3 is provided with a bracket 6 providedwith forwardly extending arms 'lconnected with levers 3 secured to the cross shaft 9 ofthe jack It willfthat it Vwill be fully moved into vsupporting position before thetractor actually moves from coupled position, so that the trailer willbe assured f of support by the time that the vehicles are actu-v allyoperated.

In order to secure the king pin in its proper position when the vehiclesare coupled, a locking device and actuating mechanism therefor must beprovided, which mechanism will now be described.

In the well understood manner, the lower fifth wheel C is mounted onshaft 1G mounted in the frame of the tractor and carried in brackets 10ain the customary manner, so that the fifth wheel C may tilt suitably forcoupling. On this shaft l0 is'turnably mounted a sleeve l1 carrying acam 12 which is actuated by the lever 13 conveniently integral with thecam 12. Secured to this lever is a rod 14 which leads to the cab of thetruck and is operated therein by lever 15.

Mounted on the under-side of the lower fifth wheel C is a housing 16 inwhich vertically moves the pin 17 carrying at its lower end the roller18 mounted on pin 19, the roller 18 engaging the cam 12, which actuatesthe pin 17 to move the pin vertically in either direction upon actuationof the cam 12. The housing 16 is slotted at 20 to enable the cam 12 toenter the housing. The fifth wheel C is suitably apertured to enable thepin 17 to pass through the surface of the Yfifth wheel. Registering withthis aperture is a corresponding aperture in the upper fifth wheelv D,over which is placed the housing 21 containing a plunger 22 which isactuated by the push pin 17 to operate the bell lever 23 which ispivoted at 24 to lugs 25 on the housing 21. The lever 23 actuates asecond lever 23a.

The end of this lever 23a is bifurcated asshown at 26, in whichbifurcation is positioned the lug 2'7 of the shank 28 of the king pinlocking member 29. This lock 29 is retained in engagement with king pinblock 1 through the provision of spring 30 enclosing the shank 31 ofthehandle 32, the spring 3i) bearing against one of the side membersof thetrailer frame and against a collar 33 of the eX- tension 34 of the lockshank 28.

This mechanism just described is such that when the rod 14 is pulled bycorresponding actuation of the lever 15 to move'the cam 12 so as tovnotch 35 -in which the lock 29 is adapted to snap when it is in registrytherewith to hold the king pin is retracted position.

It is necessary to provide mechanism for securing the lock 29 inretracted position when the vehicles are uncoupled. ForV thisrpurposethe lock 29 is provided with a notch 36 which is adapted to engage apawl 37 operating in a guide Lf 38 and actuated by a spring 39 operatingbe'- tween the lock guide 4() andlever 41 which is fulcrumed at 42, andto which the pawl 37 isV pivoted at 43. This spring -39 holds the pawl37 in engagement with the lock 29 and enables it to snap into engagementwith-the notch 36 to hold the lock out of engagement with the king pinblock l so that the king pin may bedrawn forwardly for uncoupling andthe lock 29 maintained'in retracted postionwhile the vehicles areuncoupled.

To release the pawl 37 from engagement with Y the notch 36 there isprovided a mechanism which cured a spring 45 which is in turn, connectedwith one. arm of a bell crank 46 pivotally'mounted at 47 on the lever41. This crank 46 is free to turn in one direction, but is restrainedfrom movement in the opposite direction by a stop 48 mounted onthe-lever 41. i

. It will be seen, therefore, that when the king pin block l is movedforwardly of the trailer during uncoupling operations, and when the lock29 is withdrawn from engagement therewith in the manner previouslydescribed, the pawl 37 will snap into engagement with the notch 36 andhold the lock in retracted position; as the king pin block 1 movesforwardly, the trip 49 on the reach 3 engages the lever 46 to move thislever sufliciently to enable the trip to pass by. Now when thevehiclesare coupled,` and the kingpin correspondingly moved rearwardly, the trip49 will engage the lever 46 so as to force the lever against the stop 48so as to push upon the lever 46 and stop 48 4.to cause lever 41 to turnon its fulcrum 42, thereby retracting pawl 37 from its engage.- mentwith notch 36 and allowing spring 30 to snap the lock 29 back intolocking engagement with the king pin block 1. The spring 45 acts tomaintain the lever 46 normally in engagement with stop 48.

The cam 12 is normally maintained in the position shown by the provisionof a return spring 50. y

The operation of the lock 29 to retract it from its engagement with theking pin block l as previously described, is effected simultaneouslywith the release ofthe jaws 51 of the lower fth wheel 15 in the cab ofthe truck will correspondingly lever system 53 in the well known manner.

construction is standard and need not be de- C, which release isnecessary to enable the king pin to withdraw from locking engagementwith the fth wheel C, and which withdrawal is accomplished in the usualmanner through actuation of the arm 52, which in turn actuates the Thisscribed in detail; but to eifect simultaneous operation' of the jaws 51withthe lock, the arm 52 isy inter-connected at 54 With the control rod14; so that actuationof the rod 14 through the lever operate the arm 52simultaneously with the operation of the cam 12 and the lock mechanism.

There'is to be mentioned the factthat within the king pin E is mounted alocking pin 55 through the end of which is passed a cross-pin 56 whichis adapted to engage the Wedge blocks 57 positioned at the forwardend ofthe guides V2,

whereby the locking pin 55 is withdrawn from locking engagement with thelower fifth wheel C as kthe cross-pin 56 rides on the wedge blocks 57 asindicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. This locking pin 55 is normallyheldv in locking position by means of a spring, not shown, within theking pin E. "y

It will be understood thatthelock 29 may be manipulated throughthemechanism above described, or it may be manipulated throughhandle32.V l

It has been said that the opening inthe upper fifth wheel B throughwhich the plunger22 extends, is cut on a radius struck fromth'e centerof the king pin when, locked in coupled positio-IL hicles are at fanvangle to eachother of20f1or.V

less, this being l'a suitable angle for convenient coupling anduncoupling of the vehicles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the. United States, is-

, 1. -Coupling mechanism for vehicles, comprising the combination with avehicle frame, of a king pin movably carried by the frame responsivelyto engagement of coupling means there.- with, locking instrumentalitiesfor the king pin, mechanism for, locking the king pin in coupledpcsition, and instrumentalities for simultaneously operating the-lockingmechanism and coupling means for releasing the king pin to uncouple thevehicles.

2. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising the combination with avehicle frame, of ka. king pin assembly movably carried by the framere-A sponsively `to engagement of coupling means therewith, .lockinginstrumentalities for the king pin assembly including a locking membermovabl-e into and out of engagement with the said assembly, meansnormally urging the locking member into engagement with the said kingpin assembly, instrumentalities for withdrawing the locking member fromengagement with the king therewith, locking instrumentalities for theking pin -assembly including a locking member movable into and-out ofengagement with the said assembly, means normally Vurging the lockingmember` into engagement with the said king pin assembly,instrumentalities for withdrawing the locking member from engagementwith the king pin assembly, a pawl for securing the locking member inwithdrawn position, and mechanism for actuating the pawl responsively tothe withdrawal of the locking member.

. 4, Coupling mechanism for vehicles, comprising the combination with avehicl-e frame, of a king pin assembly movably carried by the `frameresponsively to engagement of coupling means therewith, lockinginstrumentalities for theking pin` assembly including a locking membermovable into and out of engagement with the said* releasing the pawlsimultaneously with the coupling of the vehicles.

5. CouplingA mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, atractor and al trailer having, respectively, the usual upper and lowerfth wheel members, a king. pin assembly movablyl mounted on -thetrailer, locking mechanism for .lockingthe king pin assembly in couplingposition responsively to movement thereof incident to couplingoperationof the Vehicles, instrumentalities on the fth wh-eel membersfor operating the locking mechanism, and means foractuating the saidinstrumentalities.

6. Couplingmechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, a tractorvehicle and a trailer vehicle, having respectively, the usual upperr andlower fifth Wheel memberaa king pin as-- sembly movably mounted on thetrailer, lockingl mechanism for locking the king pin assembly incoupling position responsively to movement thereof incident to couplingoperation of the vehicles, instrumentalities on the fth wheel members,including a plunger and a pin to operate the plunger, for operatingthe'locking mechanism, and means for actuating the saidinstrumentalities.

7. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, a tractorvehicle and a trailer vehicle, having, respectively, the usual upper andlower fth wheel members, the lower fifth wheel member having the usualking pin engaging jaws, a king pinl assembly movably mounted on thetrailer, locking mechanism for locking the king pin assembly in couplingposition responsively to movement thereof incident to coupling operationof the vehicles, instrumentalities on the fth wheel members foroperating the locking mechanism to effect release of the king pin fromits coupling position, means for actuating the said instrumentalities,and mechanism for lreleasing the jaws of thelower fifth wheel mem- ,bersimultaneously with the operation of the said instrumentalities.

8. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, a vehicleframe, a king pin assembly carried thereby and adapted to lmovementrelatively thereto incident to engagement of a coupling membertherewith, the king pin assembly including a king pin, a block carryingthe king pin, andja slide bar carried by the block, a lock memberadapted to engage the block when the king pin and block have moved apredetermined distance for locking the king pin in position,instrumentalities for moving the lock out of engagement with'the blockfor releasing the king pin for uncoupling thereof, mechanism forautomatically securing the lock member out *of* 40' engagement with theking pin assembly, and means for actuating the said mechanism uponcoupling movement of the king pin and block to release the lock memberfor again locking the .king pin in coupling position.

.a coupling member therewith, the king pin as- 'sembly including a kingpin, a block carrying the king pingand a slide bar carried by the block,a lock member adapted to engage the block when tha king pin and'blockhave moved a predeter- .mined distance for locking the king pin inlposition, instrumentalities for moving the lock out of engagementwiththe block for releasing the king pin for uncoupling thereof,mechanism for automatically securing the lock member out of .engagementwith the king pin assembly, and means for actuating the said mechanismupon coupling movement of the king pinand block` to release thelockmember for again lockingthe king pinV in coupling position, the saidmeans comprising a trip mounted on the slide` bar, the

'said trip engaging the mechanism as the king pin moves, vthe mechanismincluding a member yieldable in one direction under engagement of thetrip but unyieldable under reverse engagement of the trip, therebyreleasing the lock member.

10. Coupling mechanism for vehicles;,compris-l ing, in combination, avehicle frame, a king pin carried thereby and mounted for movementrelatively thereto upon engagement of a coupling member, a lock memberadapted to lock the king carried thereby andl mounted for movementrelatively thereto upon engagement of a coupling member, a Ylock memberadapted to lock the king pin in coupling position, mechanism forwithdrawing the lock to release the king pin for movement to uncouplingposition, instrumentalities for holding the lock member in withdrawnposition, the said instrumentalities including a pawl, a lever carryingthe pawl, and a spring pressing the said pawl against the lock member,and means for actuating the said mechanism for withdrawing the pawl fromits holding position relativelyl to the lock member to enable the latterto assume locking position responsively to movement of the king pin tovcoupling position.

12. Coupling mechanism for vehicles, comprising, in combination, atractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle having respectively theusual upperand lower fifth wheel members, a king pin carried by the trailer vehicleand mounted for movement relative thereto upon engagement of the lowerfth wheel member therewith, a lock member adapted to lock the king pinin coupling position, mechanism ,forl withdrawing the lock to'releasethe king pin, the said mechanism including a lever in engagement withthe lock member, and lever actuating instrumentalities carried by thefifthwheelmembers, instrumentalities for holding 'the lock member inwithdrawn position, and means for actuating the said lever operatinginstrumentalities for effecting withdrawal of the said-lock member. y Y

13. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, avehicle frame, a king pin carried thereby and mounted for movementrelatively thereto upon engagement of a coupling member, a lock memberadapted to lock the kingv 'for withdrawing theY pawl Vfrom its holdingposition relatively to the lock member to enable the latter to assumelocking position responsively to movement of the king pin tc coupledposition the said mechanism being adapted to enable the said trip topass freely by the mechanism without actuation of the pawl when the kingpin is movedV to uncoupling position. Y V v 14. Coupling mechanism forvehicles comprising, in combination, avehicle frame, a kingvpin carriedthereby and mounted for movement relatively thereto upon engagement ofthe coupling member, alock member adapted to lock the king pin n'coupling position, mechanism for withdrawing the lock to release` theking pin for movement to uncoupling position, instrumental-Y itiesfor'holding the lockmember in withdrawn position, the said`instrumentalities including a lock to release the king pin for movementto unpawl, a lever carrying the pawl, a spring pressing the said pawlagainst the lock member, a stop on one end of the said lever, a secondlever mounted on the aforesaid lever in engagement with the stop andadapted to move away from the said stop in one direction and to pressagainst the said stop in the opposite direction, and means for actuatingthe said mechanism for withdrawing the Vpawl from its holding positionrelatively to the said lock member to enable the latter to assumelocking position responsively to movement of the king pin to coupledposition, the said means including a trip adapted to engage the secondlever to force the same against the stop to operate the rst mentionedlever for withdrawal of the pawl from holding engagement with the lockmember, the said second lever being mounted to enable the trip to freelypass .when the king pin is withdrawn to uncoupled position.

15. Coupling mechanism comprising, in combination, a tractor Vehicle anda trailer vehicle having, respectively, the usual upper and lower fthwheel members, a king pin mounted on the trailer Vehicle for movementrelatively thereto upon engagement of the lower fth wheel member, a lockmember adapted to lock the king pin in coupling position, mechanism forwithdrawing the lock to release the king pin for movement to uncouplingposition, thev said mechanism including a lever coupled with the lockingmember, a plunger mounted on the upper iifth wheel member, a plungeractuating member on the lower fifth wheel member, and means foroperating the said member as the vehicles are uncoupled.

16. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, atractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle having respectively, the usualupper and lower fifth wheel members, the lower ifth wheel member havingits usual king pin engaging jaws, a king pin mounted on the trailervehicle for movement relatively thereto upon engagement of the lowerfifth wheel member therewith, a lock member adapted to lock the king pinin coupling position, mechanism for withdrawing the coupling position,the said mechanism including a lever, a plunger on the upper fth wheelmember, a vertically movable pin on the lower fth wheel member, and anactuating means for moving the said pin, and means for releasing thesaid jaws simultaneously with actuation of the said pin to enable the thwheel members to be uncoupled as the king pin is released.

17. A coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising a tractor vehiclehaving, respectively, the usual upper and lower fth wheel members, aking pin mounted on the trailer vehicle for movement relatively theretoupon engagement of the lower iifth wheel member therewith, a lock memberadapted to lock the king pin in coupling position, and mechanism forwithdrawing the lock to release the king pin for movement to uncoupledposition, the said mechanism including a lever, lever actuating membersmounted on the fifth wheel members, a cam for actuating the leveractuating members, and means for operating the cam. i

13,. Coupling mechanism for vehicles comprising, in combination, atractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle having, respectively, the usualupper and lower fth wheel members, the lower fifthwheel member havingthe usual king pin engaging jaws, a king pin mounted on the trailervehicle for movement relatively thereto upon engagement of the loweriifth wheel member therewith, a lock member adapted to lock the king pinin coupled position, mechanism including cooperating movable membersmounted on the fth wheel members for withdrawing the said lock member torelease the king pin for movement tok uncoupled position, a cam foroperating the said members on the fth wheel members, means for operatingthe cam, and instrumentalities interconnected with the said camoperating means to release the said jaws simultaneously with withdrawalof the lock member from its engagement with the king GEORGE H. CONNORS.

